Lake Atitlan | From Behind The Lens..
- Rob Molyneux
- Oct 9, 2018
- 3 min read
¡Bienvenido a Lago de Atiltlan!
A picture-perfect phenomenon, is how I would describe Lake Atitlan. Just picture, a huge lake that is bedded in an enormous volcanic crater, surrounded (literally surrounded!) by huge perfectly coned volcanoes! This place has to be seen to be believed, work your way around the many small villages that dot around the edge of the lake, and explore the captivating culture of the locals.
Panajachel, the biggest village on the lake has become somewhat overrun by tour groups and therefore has been labeled the unflattering name of Gringotenango! San Pedro, this is probably the most popular choice with backpackers, with its great nightlife and array of water activities it is easy to see why! San Marcos, a hippie haven, this is the perfect place to unwind for a few days and even if you are NOT a big fan of yoga, or a gluten free eating vegan (If you are then you will probably never leave!) this is a truly beautiful place to sit back and relax. Santa Cruz, a near vertical village that will test the fittest of athletes to wander its streets, although it seems like the local women and children do not feel this pain as hey will leave you gobsmacked as they stride up the vertical hills carrying what seems like way too many bags! Other lesser visited villages are San Juan, Santiago & Santa Catarina. As each one of these villages are very different, it is worth exploring as many as you can and then you can choose your favourite (everyone has one!). It is really easy to travel between villages, with very regular boats across the lake or some very bumpy roads that lead around the lake.
For us, our favourite was San Marcos, a village with an atmosphere like no other, the smell of insense sticks fog the air, instantly setting the tone for what to expect here as soon as you step off the boat. Small independent bohemian shops line the narrow path, with even narrower paths branching off to secluded cafes, restaurants, hostels and yoga dens.. This is the place where weeks could pass-by without you even knowing! Spend your days chilling out in the lush green surroundings, find your perfect spot out on the jetty and marvel at Lake Atitlan's postcard worthy drop-back. Now some people may be taken aback by the yoga loving, organic eating residents, but you will soon fall in line with the laid back lifestyle and you may even give yoga a go yourself, even I did (once!). But, like I said earlier, if this isn't your thing then you do not have to join in, San Marcos has plenty too offer for everyone, with some incredible restaurants, bars and an abundance of beauty it really is hard not to love this place! Head over to Hostal Del Lago for live music, movie nights and all different kinds of social events!
Just one thing to note that has been a problem over recent years here, is the dogs.. There are lots of dogs! Throughout the day you will notice quite a few, either sleeping or moping around the streets but come nighttime they come alive and the streets are filled with barking strays! So if you’re a light sleeper, definitely bring your earplugs, you will need them!
Now back to the volcanoes, these pointed monsters are fascinating to look at from the lakeside but they are even better to look at from up high! Yeah that's right, many travellers choose to hike to the top of Volcan San Pedro, for incredible views over the whole crater lake! The other alternative is, the Indians nose sunrise hike, amusingly named for the shape of the mountain looking very much like (you guessed it) an Indian's nose.. This hike starts early, I mean really early! After a bumpy torch led tuk-tuk ride to the base of the hike, we set out hiking in the pitch black not really knowing what would be waiting for us at the top and when we actually made it up there, we were rewarded with.. Clouds, lots of clouds! But luckily, shortly after, as the sun started to rise, the clouds disappeared and we witnessed the most surreal sunrise peering over the neighboring volcanoes and across the mammoth crater lake! This is definitely a must do while you are in the area!
But before you visit for yourself, here is a look from behind the lens..
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